The Hydrated Electron, The Hydroxyl Radical, and Hydrogen Peroxide in Radiation Damage in Cells

Spores of Bacillus megaterium, in suspension, are used to study the biological effects of the three principal products of radiolysis of water, i.e., e−aq, OH and H2 O2. A model is proposed accounting for the action of OH and H2 O2. This model involves two reactions: magnified image in which RH2 is a “target” molecule, and {article}{empty}{document}\[ R \]{document} is a lethally damaged molecule. Experimental evidence is given supporting this model. These studies of the effects of radiolysis products of water are extended by studies using sensitizers such as biacetyl, NO−3, and Ag+ in varying concentrations. Evidence for a possible relationship between peak sensitivities in anoxic conditions and chemical properties of the sensitizers is discussed. These results are also discussed with regard to the oxygen effect, and the general chemical characteristics of an efficient tumor sensitizer are outlined.